Friday Giveaway - 3 prizes worth £30 from Salcura Natural Skin Care

I suppose I should think myself lucky that it has only been the last couple of years of my life that I have needed to make moisturising my body part of my daily regime.  When I am in the USA I have my go-to creams that I use.  When travelling around I shop in natural health stores and veer away from pharmacies as I like my products to be vegan, and natural as can be.  I do tend to be drawn by packaging first. If it looks a bit 'clinical' I usually do not even give it a second glance.   I looked at Salcura, a totally UK based company, because their products stated they contain absolutely 'no chemicals'.   Because I had pre-judged the range by the medical looking packaging, I was surprised to find it said it was free of SLS, perfume and chemicals.  Also suitable for vegans (no Vegan Society approval as yet but scheduled to be applied for in 2015).   I contacted the company to find out more, and they very kindly sent me a small range of their derma care products (the also sell hair products and have an extensive acne range) to review.  

For the last couple of weeks I have been slathering, lathering and smothering myself in in Derma Spray Intensive , followed by the Zeoderm cream after showering or bathing in their Gel or Bath Oil.  I do wonder at the effectiveness of a shower gel that is going to be on your skin so briefly but at least it is not stripping your body of anything good.  The spray and cream combined have left my skin so deeply moisturised.  I have had a condition called keratosis pilaris for a year and though it has not yet cleared it up (I live in hope) my skin is transformed to the shine and hydration of my teenage years. The effect minimises the appearance of the tiny bumps and makes me feel confident to go out in strappy tops again, which I am grateful for right now as the UK is kindly delivering a most beautiful summer.

The product range is suitable for people prone to eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and dry and itchy skin.  Most are ok for use with babies of 3 months and up (but always check the label first).  And they have a Junior Range.  Their products have the health benefits of Omega oils (and I am going to drop a few names here) natural healing benefits of plants such as...aloe, sea buckthorn and calendula. I have especially fallen in love with the Zeoderm (the zeo in Zeoderm is zeolite which is a natural clay. (i)zeolites form where volcanic rocks and ash layers react with alkaline groundwater. Zeolites also crystallize in post-depositional environments over periods ranging from thousands to millions of years in shallow marine basins).  

I wanted you to get a chance to try the range for yourself.  Salcura have agreed to offer 3 prizes with a value of up to £30 per winner; to spend on either a choice of products from their acne range or their problem dry skin range.  If you win, you get to peruse their website and choose which you would like to receive.

EVERYONE can try Salcura as they also offer FREE samples via their website.

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(i) source Wikipedia

Friday Giveaway! A delicious FOODIE box. Gluten & lactose free. Burgers! Chocolate!

I recently received some gluten free and vegan products to review from a company based in the UK called Amisa 

They have a range of organic products including gluten free porridge oats.  I tried the Apple & Cinnamon Spice.  Three ingredients. All organic; oats, apples & cinnamon. Nothing else. Not like some 'healthy breakfasts' purporting to be good for you which have more sugar added than you'd find in an evil sugary drink!  I enjoyed my cinnamon spiced oats with a dollop of soya yogurt and some pistachios and it was lovely.  Not just for gluten sensitive folk or diabetics.  Great for those who want to enjoy delicious food AND be healthy. Fab for kids, too if you want to avoid those sugary cereals.

I also had the rice and corn crisp breads smothered with homemade vegan pesto.  Yum!

AND the falafel mix.  It was so easy to prepare.  Soak the entire contents in 200ml hot water and mix.  Form into balls.  Fry or bake. I fried mine and they were so delicious I could not wait until lunch and so had them for breakfast, with some spicy mango chutney.  A good idea, not just for dinner (as I have demonstrated) but also for your lunch box, a spoon or two of hummus or a tasty chutney and you are all set.  I think a box of falafel mix in your camping food box would be ideal as well.  Think about it, flavourful food cooked on your campfire whilst sitting in a field or on the beach. 

The good folk at Amisa, a division of a small family run company owned by Windmill Organics, 

understand that there is a great need for healthy, tasty gluten/lactose free products.  We have a goodie box for one lucky winner (it could be you!).  In the box you will find..

Falafel Mix

Burger Mix

Lactose free Chocolate coated rice cakes

 and gluten free crisp breads!

If you were wondering (as I was) where the name Amisa comes from, two sisters work in the company and the name ‘Amisa’ actually comes from both their names combined (Amy & Elisa). So now we know! Cute.

If you want to enter to win..

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Click here to find out more about Windmill Organics

Latest From VegFest. It's A Mock Meat Fest!

Haven for carnivores at Europe's biggest veggie festival on Bristol Harbourside One of Europe's prime foodie event VegfestUK Bristol will feature a number of high-quality meatless meat products that will have even committed carnivores not only enjoying the new textures and sensations that meat-free products provide, but also maybe even being tempted to think about replacing some of their favourite animal products with plant-based alternatives. The festival, which enters its 12th year on May 23rd 24th 25th at the Amphitheatre and is set to attract around 20,000 visitors, aims to showcase the crème de la crème of following a plant-based lifestyle. 'Meat' plays centre stage in the myriad of products on show, and this year the UK public have the chance of sampling the following brands of plant-based meats at this event:   Bute Island Foods are the producers of their “Vegandeli” range of mock meats which include 7 delicious varieties of meat-free continental sausages, from original/spicy/smoked/Italian gourmet Mortadela, Chorizo sausages, Mock Ham, Gourmet Morcilla - all highly versatile besides being very tasty, giving the meat-based counterparts a good run for their money. Gillie Food are one of the Oriental Vegan and Vegetarian meat-substitute alternatives food manufacturers & importers in UK. Their products range are based in Textured Soya Protein and Wheat Protein, which is a nutritious member of the protein family, is entirely meat free. Their products are NON-MSG with no GMO nor preservatives. Grano e Vita (a.k.a Muscolo di Grano) offers superb plant-based meats based on wheat and legumes that have a nutritional value similar to meat while remaining totally plant-based. It’s the ideal food for those who wish to eat a healthy and nourishing meal and still enjoy all the flavours of the Mediterranean cuisine. Vegusto produces a range of meat free alternatives made from only the highest quality ingredients. Options include: farmhouse sausages, Wiener sausages, festive roasts, schnitzels, etc. They'll be serving freshly made hot dogs at the show alongside their impressive array of meats.   The show organisers added, “It's an absolute pleasure to witness the rise of these top-notch plant-based meat brands in the upward trend of healthier, more eco-friendly and sustainable living, given the huge toll that livestock farming has on the environment and animal products have on our health. Arguably the biggest obstacle for many in going veggie or eating healthily is the sumptuous taste of their meat. Those heroic producers of vegan meat substitutes have really made plant-based living both convenient and more than palatable for many souls out there, and we're honoured to showcase these products to the public.”   These 'meats' come in conjunction with many vegan milks, cheeses, chocolates and other substitutes for animal produce which can be found at the 140 stalls including 5 all day bars at the show – and with numerous special offers available, make sure to bring plenty of cash and shopping bags with you! If you wish to learn more about plant-based lifestyles, don't miss the dozens of talks, cookery demos, workshops and short films.   There's still time for a variety of entertainment from kids cookery classes, hoola hoops, comedians and musicians during the day. Focus shifts to headline music in the evenings with Boney M ft. Maizie Williams, Gwen Dickey's Rose Royce, Abba Gold, Peter Hook and the Light, Ruts DC, Goldblade, Zion Train and Black Roots gracing the Amphitheatre stage.   Admission from 11am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday is £3 (on the gate) and free for kids under 16. Full admission info and advance tickets for the evening events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is available at www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/ticket-information, with a BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE offer running till April 30th. All press materials are available here: Event programme www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/programme Press releases www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/press-releases Posters and flyers www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/posters-and-flyers Banners www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/banners Facebook posters www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/facebook-posters VegfestUK Bristol is sponsored by: Fry's Vegetarian UK, Yaoh, JASON Natural Care, Bute Island Foods, Nakd Wholefoods, Lavera, Suma Wholefoods, Living Naturally, Koko Dairy Free, Vegfund, Out of Hand and Viva! VegfestUK organise 2 other events this year – London on September 27th 28th at Olympia West Halls, and Brighton on March 29th 30th. The Brighton event attracted a large crowd of over 5,000 visitors, and the London event is set to draw around 10,000 people. All products displayed at VegfestUK events are 100% plant-based. Seewww.vegfest.co.uk or email info@vegfest.co.uk for full details.

This blog post is a guest post by VegFest

VegFEST Bristol 2014 - Free Tickets To Giveaway

Preparations for one of Europe's biggest and most unique vegan lifestyle and music festival VegfestUK Bristol 23-25th May, are gathering pace, with headliners announced and tickets now on sale.

This festival traditionally features a vegan food fayre during the day and lets it's hair down with headline music in the evenings.  25,000 visited past 2 years.

This year's headliners are:

- Boney M ft. Maizie Williams, Gwen Dickey's Rose Royce, Abba Gold on Friday May 23rd

- Peter Hook and the Light, Ruts D.C., Goldblade on Saturday May 24th

- Zion Train, Black Roots on Sunday May 25th

Full admission info and advance tickets for the evening part of the show are at  www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/ticket-information

Of course you want to be there!  We have 2 pairs of tickets to giveaway.  1 pair for Friday and 1 pair for Saturday. Each pair is worth £25!

Enter below for your chance to win.  Winners to be announced 1st week in May.

Meanwhile, the daytime events feature 140 stalls & caterers, dozens of talks and cookery demos, clay modelling workshops, hoola-hoops, kids cookery classes, art and craft tent, comedy hours, short films, 5 all-day bars and more!

Admission for daytime events is £3 (pay on gate) and free for kids under 16, with no advance tickets available.


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Pubs with Vegan Options in the UK

Find yourself hungry and away from a sizeable city and it can be a wasteland for vegans, and slim pickings for those with gluten or other food sensitivities.  Jacket potato anyone?  Oh yes, I'll just pop on my 80's shoulder pads, white stilettos and step back in time to devour this culinary masterpiece!

Back here in the 21st century changes are afoot. A trickle of inventiveness is emerging and SOME pub and cafe chains are offering those who prefer to live off plants and don't find a plate of raw carrots sticks and tomato sauce a dinner worthy of salivation, a meal with flavour and a bit of thought.  

A few weeks back I was staying in a twee little English village.  A friend was visiting and I didn't want to cook.  I heard something on the grapevine about a local Greene King pub that was serving a couple of vegan dishes on the menu.  Hoorah!  I called ahead and, hang out the bunting, ring the bells, they confirmed that they did.

I didn't quite skip with glee all the way there as I was a bit wary, however I  was pleasantly surprised.  The salad was tasty and filling.  The beetroot glaze was lovely and the tiny chillies added a gentle kick.

 Vitality (V)

Mixed leaves, rosemary-roasted squash, edamame beans,
roquito peppers, marinated olives, fine beans, chickpeas, broccoli, sun-blushed baby tomatoes, red onion, beetroot glaze £7.45 

Friend ordered the gourd and tomato soup.  It was not gluten free so I did not try it but he thought it was flavoursome and filling.

I contacted all the major pub chains in the UK in addition to Greene King, to enquire about their menus and if they cater for food allergies, etc.  Not one responded.  Charming.  However,  I visited Wetherspoons on a couple of occasions and they have a gluten free and vegan chickpea curry on offer in their Curry Club.  The website has a useful interactive special diets menu which lists food items to your particular dietary needs.

Do you know of any other pubs or cafe chains in the UK that welcome vegans and dinners with food allergies?  Please leave a comment below and I will add it to this post.  Thanks.

Vegan Dining Outside Of London - Hertfordshire

Last weekend, my friend and I FINALLY decided to visit Woody's Cafe in Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire, this weekend.  This is going to sound daft, but though I may traverse thousands of miles using planes, buses, feet and peddle power, just to discover and taste vegan food, but the thirty minute drive from my mothers house when I visit, just seemed too far.  Yes, that is illogical!

With the record-breaking storms in the UK (where in the world isn't experiencing weird weather?!) abated (I was in Austin..happily avoiding it all!), the sight of the sun coming out and a friend's belated birthday still to celebrate made me feel like a trip out for the afternoon.

I'd heard about Woody's restaurant before but previously had felt lukewarm about the prospect of eating there.  This weekend, it was time. I called ahead to make sure they had some vegan, gluten free dishes on the menu. They reeled off several that sounded nice, so off we went.

Woody's is situated on the banks of a pretty canal, and not the sort of place you'd 'just come across'.  The setting is picturesque, with canal boats mored in the quay and a run of dog walkers.  It would be perfect on a warmer (and less skwarly) day, to sit outside and eat.

We were wise enough to reserve a table, which was just as well as the place was heaving.  The decor is cosy and inviting.  The staff attentive, knowledgeable and personable.  The food is cooked in front of you in the open kitchen.  Everything is fresh.  Generous portions.  I opted for the Beet Bourguinon and it was really tasty.  Packed with fresh mushrooms and puy lentils (I love puy lentils!).  The mash was very good but not amazing (I may just be fussy as I've had some mind-blowing mash potato recently).   But overall the dish was practically perfect.

The prices are reasonable.   £35 for 2 dinners and latte and pot of green tea.

It actually only took me just over 15mins to drive here!  I'll be eating here again for sure!

Vegan caramel latte.

Views of the canal from our table.

Aubergine, bean & pepper stew. V GF   Leek salad GF (not vegan). The stew was slightly spiced and very well flavoured.

  
Beet Bourgiunion & mustard mash.  9/10   I practically scraped the plate clean!

Chef's hard at work in the open kitchen.

Too full for dessert?  It must be a first! They had vegan ice cream and a gluten free cake.

View of the restaurant from across the water. 

19 Dickinson Quay, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP3 9WG

01442 266280

10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Party Time! World Vegan Day Party London & Day Of The Dead Celebrations

If you don't already know, November 1st is World Vegan Day, and the start to World Vegan Month.  It is a great opportunity for the already vegan and the vegan curious to gather and have some fun.  The London Vegan Meetup Group are going to gather in London.  Not in London?  Events are happening all over, not just in the UK.  A Google search will list those closest to you.

 If you have a great event you want us to know about, leave a comment below or on the Facebook  page.

Also Fat Gay Vegan is hosting the 2nd Annual Day Of The Dead Party

Are you going?  I can't make either of them. I will be in New York (woohoo!).  Have fun!

Gluten Free Pizza Bases & Flatbreads - Allergy Friendly

Chewy bread with oh so satisfying pullapartedness and a oily, crunchy outer layer…I've salivated over the memory of it, enjoyed on a Friday night after work, alongside a pizza, way, way back in my butter and wheat eating days.  When the after effects of 'pizza night' made it loose it's appeal, I surrendered myself to the reality that I'd just have to go without.  Of course, I could have made it myself but, to be honest, back then, I didn't believe it would come up to scratch so I didn't bother.  Also, back then, I didn't cook.  I was a microwave queen.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a Free From food show, and spotted one of the stands handing out small round pizzas to a very excited crowd. The fragrance of caramelised garlic and dough was blowing my mind.  I grabbed a slice. I encountered that familiar tug of war between teeth and bread.  It was chewy, with a gorgeously flaky crust, infused with garlic and sweet tomato sauce.  I was in HEAVEN!  

Just who were making this product…and how?! Please take a bow - Venice Bakery UK

The folks from this bakery have recently partnered with the, family owned, original bakery, founded in California back in the 50's. They made the outstanding decision to share their Coeliac (celiac) UK approved flatbreads and pizzas over here in Blighty.  And I am mighty pleased about that.

Gluten free

Wheat free

Soy free

Dairy free

Egg free

Corn free

VEGETARIAN & VEGAN friendly

Their products are also trans fats free, non-GMO, and are free from culinary gums and E numbers.  Are you falling in love yet?  I am!

They have a long shelf life. If you travel a whole bunch and, like me, pack a little pantry of food in your suitcase to tide you over until you track down the whole foods store, then these are perfect, too.  They are vacuum packed and last for 2 months.  And longer, if chilled or frozen.  

I smothered my pizza base in tomato concentrate, a grinding of black pepper and a few basil leaves. Nothing else.  The base is so nicely seasoned and flavoured, it is gorgeous as is, or with minimal adornment.  The flatbread I just drizzled in extra virgin olive oil, scrubbed over with a garlic clove, and topped with fresh rosemary.

Ingredients: Rice flour, tapioca flour, potato flakes, potato start, water, evaporated cane sugar, olive oil, fresh yeast & salt.

My only gripe is that the products contain sugar (for those of you who have not yet quit sugar then no need to worry) but according to Rachel of Freshly Baked sugar is not necessary to make bread, it just makes it prove more quickly but she thinks the flavour develops the longer the yeast gets to hang out.  I rarely eat sugar. It can knock me off balance. The way I see it is this, on occasion (keep it special) it is ok.  The fact that I have found a pizza base that is gluten free, trans fat free and vegan, is a bloody dream come true!  Also,  now I know it can be done.  I will try and replicate it when I get time.  But right now I don't have to as someone has done it for me.  This isn't your typical, 'make allowances because it's gluten free' product.  It is top notch.

It is sold to the UK online from Venice Bakery   3 x 5inch bases are £3.39.  They have an offer for a sampler pack for £10, saving of just under £5.  If you are in the US then you can order it from their Venice Bakery USA store online.

Have you come across any vegan and gluten free products lately, you want to tell us about?  Please let us know and click on the post a comment tab below.

Aloka in Brighton

We all know the value of good friends.....ESPECIALLY when they want to take you out to dinner.  Yippee!

It was a GORGEOUS  bright day...so, quite out of character, I opted for tea and a chat at my favourite pub at the beach before heading up Ship Street to Aloka.  I'd been before but they'd changed their hours, menus etc.  They used to have a Raw Food restaurant upstairs and self service buffet (which was varied and v.good) downstairs.  Alas (BOO!) the buffet is now only served until 5pm.

Hey ho, go with the flow....We were both now ravenous and wanted to get onto the business of eating asap.  So, we ordered chips and dips whilst we waited for our mains.  The waitress came over with something unexpected...The amuse bouche in the first picture.  It was exactly that..amusing for my mouth, though being the fun bunny that I am I could have handled a bit more 'amusing'.  Cucumbers in a vinaigrette with teeny weeny little cubes of butter nut squash and carrot.  Ha ha.

The chips took a bit to long to come but they were good.  Raw crackers and raw hummus with pea shoots and spinach.  The spoon is cradling olive oil.

For our entree we decided (impressively swiftly..though we may have been swayed by it being the cheapest on the menu), to go for the mezze plate.

Doesn't it look gorgeous!  The chef was giving it all his love in the kitchen!  The plate was generous (though it wouldn't have been enough if we'd not spent a happy few minutes plunging raw crackers into the starter).  I cannot remember it all (not so easy to give 100% concentration when nattering with a friend), but there were two types of hummus, soup, crostini, raw crackers, olives and socca bread and a chutney which I didn't really like as I found the rosemary and thyme mix a bit 'medicinal' tasting.

ahh, how pretty!  Fresh Gazpacho soup

Delicious socca bread (i think?) , made with chickpeas (or that is what it tasted like) and an awesome, grin inducing broccoli soup with garlic oil...I could have eaten a whole pan of that!

Olives, raw tatziki & hummus

The decor is wonderful, the waitresses do all they can to be helpful, and the chef is obvioiusly talented and passionate.  The other mains looked delicious and inventive so I will go back and try them one day.   I must say, with Terre a Terre & Food For Friends only yards away, all three restaurants are a bit samey in terms of £££.  Aloka's buffet used to offer extremely tasty raw & cooked vegetarian/vegan food at an affordable price (based on weight). Making them a good 'eat out mid-week' place. They will now go on my 'special dinner out' list.  Which is a shame but I will go to their buffet again (served until 5pm).  I think I got used to having it so good in California...blow your mind food for a lot less dosh.